Civmec completes Luerssen Australia acquisition

Henderson, Western Australia-based construction and engineering firm Civmec has confirmed the completed acquisition of all shares in Luerssen Australia, the local subsidiary of NVL (Naval Vessels Lürssen.)

The $20 million deal was completed on Wednesday. Civmec said in an ASX statement that it will consolidate its role in local naval shipbuilding “by bringing Luerssen Australia’s operations, workforce, and assets under full local ownership.”

Chairman James Fitzgerald said on Wednesday that, “Bringing Luerssen Australia into the Civmec Group reinforces our commitment to building sovereign capability and delivering comprehensive shipbuilding solutions. 

“We’re focused on ensuring a smooth transition and continuing momentum on the OPV  program. We welcome the Luerssen Australia team to CDI and look forward to working  closely with the Commonwealth.”

The Civmec and Germany’s NVL agreed on a framework for transfer of ownership in October last year. It followed Civmec moving its domicile from Singapore to Australia two months before that.. 

The newly-acquired company is currently delivering the SEA1180 Offshore Patrol Vessel program, with the first Arafura Class OPV just commissioned by the Royal Australian Navy. The first OPV was built at Osborne Naval Shipyard, with the second also being built at Osborne and the remaining four to be built at Civmec’s Henderson shipyard.  

The company said that Luerssen came with “a highly skilled team with deep experience in naval shipbuilding, mature  engineering and training systems, and a robust supply chain with strong local industry  participation—particularly in Western Australia.” 

Civmec added that its intention is to rebrand Luerssen Australia as Civmec Defence Industries.

Picture; credit Civmec

Further reading

Civmec agrees to acquire German shipbuilder in Australia

Civmec moves domicile to Australia in record year